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15.2 Roman society and daily life in the empire

3 min readLast Updated on July 19, 2024

Roman society was deeply stratified, with patricians at the top and slaves at the bottom. This hierarchy shaped daily life, determining where people lived, what they did, and how they interacted with others.

Roman values like honor, virtue, and patronage reinforced social divisions. These ideals influenced behavior across classes, from the elite's pursuit of dignitas to the complex relationships between patrons and clients.

Social Hierarchy and Daily Life in the Roman Empire

Social hierarchy in Imperial Rome

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  • Patricians
    • Held the highest social status as descendants of the original Roman settlers
    • Possessed the majority of political power and wealth in Roman society
  • Equites (Knights)
    • Ranked as the second-highest social class below the Patricians
    • Consisted of wealthy landowners and merchants who served in military and administrative roles
  • Plebeians
    • Comprised the majority of the Roman population including artisans, farmers, and laborers
    • Possessed limited political rights but could participate in voting in assemblies
  • Freedmen
    • Gained freedom after being former slaves
    • Worked as skilled artisans or in business ventures
    • Experienced limited social mobility and political rights compared to freeborn citizens
  • Slaves
    • Occupied the lowest social class and were considered the property of their owners
    • Performed a wide range of tasks from manual labor to skilled work (agriculture, mining, crafts)

Daily life across Roman classes

  • Elite (Patricians and wealthy Equites)
    • Resided in luxurious villas featuring multiple rooms and amenities (gardens, courtyards)
    • Participated in leisure activities such as banquets, baths, and entertainment (gladiatorial games, theater)
    • Utilized slaves for various household tasks and personal services
  • Middle class (Equites and wealthy Plebeians)
    • Lived in modest houses or multi-story apartment buildings called insulae
    • Engaged in trade, crafts, or held administrative positions in government
    • Accessed public baths and entertainment venues for leisure and socializing
  • Lower classes (Plebeians and Freedmen)
    • Inhabited crowded apartments (insulae) or rented small rooms
    • Employed as laborers, farmers, or in service industries (food vendors, cleaners)
    • Depended on public baths for hygiene and food distribution programs for sustenance
  • Slaves
    • Experienced living conditions that varied based on their roles and owners
    • Often had better living situations as urban slaves compared to rural agricultural slaves
    • Enjoyed relative comfort and privileges if highly skilled (educated tutors, doctors)

Slavery's role in Roman society

  • Performed a diverse array of tasks integral to Roman society
    • Provided manual labor in agriculture, mining, and construction projects
    • Worked as skilled artisans, teachers, doctors, and in other specialized occupations
    • Carried out domestic services in Roman households (cooking, cleaning)
  • Served as a significant driver of the Roman economy
    • Supplied cheap labor that supported agricultural production and manufacturing
    • Enabled the wealthy elite to accumulate more wealth and land holdings
  • Impacted the Roman social structure
    • Reinforced the hierarchical divisions and power imbalances between social classes
    • Created a substantial population with limited rights and social mobility
    • Introduced complexity with the addition of freedmen as former slaves

Impact of Roman values

  • Honor (dignitas)
    • Placed great importance on reputation and social standing in Roman society
    • Influenced individual behavior and decision-making to maintain honor
    • Resulted in social stigma and exclusion if honor was lost or damaged
  • Virtue (virtus)
    • Emphasized ideal qualities such as courage, loyalty, and moral character
    • Expected virtuous behavior from citizens, particularly the elite classes
    • Connected virtues to gender roles and societal expectations (modesty for women, bravery for men)
  • Patronage (clientela)
    • Developed reciprocal relationships between higher class patrons and lower class clients
    • Required patrons to provide protection, financial support, and political backing to clients
    • Obligated clients to offer loyalty, services, and political support in return to patrons
    • Established complex social networks and interdependence through patronage ties

Term 1 of 12

Agriculture
See definition

Agriculture refers to the practice of cultivating land, growing crops, and raising animals for food, fiber, and other products. It played a crucial role in shaping societies by influencing settlement patterns, economic structures, and social hierarchies. This practice laid the foundation for civilizations, allowing people to transition from nomadic lifestyles to more permanent communities, which facilitated the development of complex societies and trade systems.

Key Terms to Review (12)

Term 1 of 12

Agriculture
See definition

Agriculture refers to the practice of cultivating land, growing crops, and raising animals for food, fiber, and other products. It played a crucial role in shaping societies by influencing settlement patterns, economic structures, and social hierarchies. This practice laid the foundation for civilizations, allowing people to transition from nomadic lifestyles to more permanent communities, which facilitated the development of complex societies and trade systems.

© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

Term 1 of 12

Agriculture
See definition

Agriculture refers to the practice of cultivating land, growing crops, and raising animals for food, fiber, and other products. It played a crucial role in shaping societies by influencing settlement patterns, economic structures, and social hierarchies. This practice laid the foundation for civilizations, allowing people to transition from nomadic lifestyles to more permanent communities, which facilitated the development of complex societies and trade systems.



© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
Glossary
Glossary